How to Bleed Your Brakes

This blog will be broken down into 3 easy to follow processes to bleeding the brakes on your Scrambler.

  1. Front Brakes
  2. Rear Brakes
  3. Test!

Tools Needed

  • 8mm box wrench
  • 11mm box wrench
  • tubing/hose
  • DOT 3,4, 5.1 Brake Fluid (we are using Motul RBF 600 aka the good stuff)
  • Some sort of catch can (cup or bottle works fine)
  • T20 Torx screwdriver or socket
  • Rags or shop towels
  • Optional: Hose clamp

1. Front Brake Flush

Step 1

Remove master cylinder brake reservoir cap with Torx screwdriver or socket. Wrap rag/shop towel around reservoir to make sure that nasty fluid doesn’t get everywhere.

Step 2

Fit an 8mm wrench and hose to caliper bleed nipple, but do not loosen! Also, connect hose to fluid catch.

*Hot tip: try to maintain and upward angle/kink in the hose. This will allow brake fluid and not air back into the system if fluid flow is reversed (usually happens when brake lever is released before tightening the nipple)

Step 3

Make sure reservoir has brake fluid. If not adequate, add fluid.

Step 4

Pump brake lever multiple times (2-3 times should be fine or until firm lever feel). HOLD LEVER!

Step 5

Slightly loosen caliper nipple (you will feel the lever depress). DO NOT RELEASE LEVER YET!

 

Step 6

Tighten caliper nipple.

Step 7

Release lever. Repeat step 3-6 until fluid comes out clean and brake feel is firm (not squishy or spongy).

Step 8

Fill brake fluid to proper level

Step 9

Put on master cylinder brake reservoir cap. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN SCREWS!

Note: make sure the rubber under the cap looks like this and not extended!

Step 10

Wipe up any brake fluid. Brake fluid is extremely corrosive and over time it can eat through the powder coating on wheels and paint on the tank! I just spray some brake clean onto a microfiber towel and wipe.

2. Rear Brakes

Step 1

Remove master cylinder brake reservoir cap. Wrap rag/shop towel around reservoir.

Step 2

Fit 11mm wrench and hose to rear caliper bleed nipple.

Step 3

Make sure reservoir has brake fluid. If not adequate, add fluid.

Step 4

Pump brake lever multiple times (2-3 times should be fine or until firm lever feel). HOLD LEVER!

Step 5

Slightly loosen caliper nipple (you will feel the lever depress). DO NOT RELEASE LEVER YET!

 

Step 6

Tighten caliper nipple.

Step 7

Release lever. Repeat step 3-6 until fluid comes out clean and brake feel is firm (not squishy or spongy).

Step 8

Fill brake fluid to proper level and put on cap.

Step 9

Wipe up any brake fluid. 

Test

Test! Don't just go out and ride your Scrambler without going through this process. It wouldn't be a lot of fun to pull the lever in to find out your brakes don't work properly.

Step 1

Pull in the front brake and feel for a firm lever. Then go ahead and do the same for the rear.

Step 2

Go for a test ride. Start out slow (I roll the bike forward and try the brakes before riding), then bring the bike to a stop. Slowly build up speed and follow with braking. Repeat and slowly build up speed with each test. I usually give a few CONTROLLED hard stops (make sure where you are not braking on a loose or wet surface).

Step 3

Give yourself a pat of the back for doing such an awesome job and revel in your ability to work on your own bike.